Volvo says its Concept 26 represents a new way of thinking about how autonomous cars will be integrated into daily life.
“Volvo Concept 26 addresses the notion that driving can still be fun, but that some parts of driving, notably the daily commute in many metro areas, is stressful, frustrating, and even broken,” said Anders Tylman-Mikiewicz, general manager of the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center. “By providing drivers the choice of when to drive or delegate driving, we are able to retain the love and freedom of the open road while fixing the broken commute.”
Volvo’s Concept 26
David Booth, Driving
Research conducted by Volvo shows that many drivers in North America could regain an average of 26 additional minutes for each commute (amounting to several hundred hours per year), making the Concept 26 a “time machine,” at least in Volvo’s eyes.
The concept is built around a patented and revolutionary new seat design that — together with a tablet interface in the center console, a foldable tray table and a 25-inch, flat-screen monitor that flips up from the passenger-side dashboard — provides three interior modes: Drive, Create and Relax.
Volvo’s Concept 26
David Booth, Driving
Drive generates the traditional driving experience with full engagement from the driver. Create is for the workaholic that uses the large 25-inch monitor, which flips out from beneath the glove box, to allow the driver to read, email or work on their next big project. Relax, of course, has the 26’s seat reclining and the screen and audio system curating – what else – a relaxing atmosphere.
Expect this last function to be the most popular.
